Marist International Centre (MIC) Digest

PAGE CONTENT ………………………………………………...…………………..2

Welcome to yet another edition of MIC Digest. We

EDITOR’S NOTE ………………………………………..…………………...2

are still filled with the joy of Christmas and the memo-

MIC DIGEST TEAM ……………………………………...………………….2

ries of Our Superior General celebrating with us.

MARIST LAITY-A DREAM OR REALITY …………...……………………3

We are equally happy to announce that the MIC Di-

POPE FRANCIS IN KENYA …………………………….…………………...3

gest has a new team this year. We appreciate the work

A WALK TO EDUCATE THE NEEDY ……………………...……………...3

and efforts of the previous team. We have taken into

YOUTH IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ……………………...……………..4

consideration the comments from our readers. The great work will continue

“LAUDATO SI” IN MIC ……………………………..………….…………...4

in the tradition of MIC Digest - providing its readers with relevant infor-

MIC CELEBRATES MARY THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION AND

mation about the Centre and the Marist world at large.

BEGINS THE HOLY YEAR OF MERCY ……….………………..………...5

We are also glad that the Centre has become more dynamic with the pres-

MIC CELEBRATES SPECIAL CHRISTMAS WITH THE SUPERIOR

ence of the Psycho-Spiritual Institute which has added flavour to life in the

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Centre.

INTERVIEW WITH THE SUPERIOR OF MIC ……………….………..6&7

It is our joy that we start the New Year together as a family, we invite all

DANGERS OF MINE ………………………………………...………………8

our readers to take seriously the call of the Holy Father to “be merciful like

WHY DO WE DO GOOD? …………………………………...………………8

the Father”.

A GLASS OF MILK ……………………………………...…………………...8 THE IMAGE OF JESUS THE DIVINE MERCY AND THE SIGNATURE

MIC Digest appreciates all those who have contributed to this edition.

(Part 1) …………………………………………………...…………………….9

Happy New Year and enjoy this publication.

MIC DIGEST MEETS WITH THE BROTHERS ON MISSION IN SOUTH

By Br Yao Aristide Ghislain

SUDAN …………………………………………………..…………………..10 ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL ……………………………………...10 THE TWO OLD MEN ……………………………….…………………….11

Every bird flies with its own wings (Swahili Proverb)

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POPE FRANCIS IN KENYA Pope Francis advises Kenyan youth on TRIBALISM and CORRUPTION. Addressing the youth of Kenya, Pope Francis abandoned his prepared speech as he was moved by the reality of the Kenyan people, the Holy Father spoke from his heart.

During the pastoral visit of the Holy Father to Kenya, he sought time to talk with the youth of Kenya at the Kasarani Stadium on 27th November 2015.

Among the issues facing the youth in Kenya addressed to the Holy Father included youth radicalization, corruption, tribalism and the suffering of innocent people.

Before responding to the issues presented, the Pope impressed upon the youth the importance of prayer. He reminded and challenged the young people of Kenya, and around the world, of the need to pray without ceasing. According to him, ‘man loses the best of his being when he forgets to pray, as he does not feel the need to ask for help in the face of so many tragedies and calamities’. Without prayer, the capacity to choose whether a situation is challenging or an opportunity is very difficult.

The Holy Father reminded the young people that tribalism destroys a nation.

He told them to overcome tribalism and dissention with open minds and hearts through dialogue. As a sign of unity and togetherness, he invited everybody to stand up and hold hands. He urged the youth and all the Kenyan people to fight against the disease of discrimination.

Speaking about corruption, the Holy Father compared it with sugar which is very sweet but which can cause diabetes when taken in excess.

As too much sugar makes an individual diabetic, so also corruption makes a country diabetic. A corrupt country engenders social injustice, including stealing, dishonesty, among others. He therefore encouraged the political and religious leaders and the youth to resist this sugar called corruption and promote unity in diversity and peace for the betterment and development of the Kenyan nation. .

By Br Harry D. Nyanti.

MARIST LAITY: A REALITY OR A DREAM? As the adage goes, “When a pot is set on fire, it is of course sure that no matter how long it takes, the content shall be ready for consumption”. The idea of incorporating the Marist laity has been the subject on the lips of our Superiors for some time now. Meanwhile, while some Brothers appreciate this initiative, others find it a “bitter leaf to chew, talk of swallowing it!” Let us raise some pertinent questions about this venture. First of all, Who are the Marist laity?

Why the interest in bringing them to share our Charism?

And, Why the controversy over the issue among the Brothers?

The Lay Marists are a group of responsible Christians, married and unmarried, who are involved and committed in the same apostolate with the Brothers in our schools. They are attracted by the Charism of Marcellin Champagnat and feel drawn to make Jesus known and loved among poor children. They teach in Marist schools and Projects..

One will be sure then that the “Holy Spirit” is the one inspiring our superiors, because we may not understand why people who love to work with us, who want to serve God with us, by offering their services, cannot identify with us.

Rev. Br Yao Sylvain former District Superior of the Marist District of West Africa would say, “time has come for us to share our spirituality Brothers”; … “we need to be generous with our vocation, share it with others and bring others to the reality of God’s love”. I am sure this is what is in the minds of our Superiors. It is what is moving them to urge us, to think about this in the light of the “New beginning” of 2017 as we prepare to celebrate our bi-centenary.

The issue at stake is still not well understood. The MIC Digest caught up with Br Lawrence Ndawala (Superior of MIC) to give some clarity into the matter. According to him, those who teach in our schools, assist us in the apostolate. Some of these people we are talking about are even volunteers. Some of them have been with us for many years and some of them quite recent. Some of them are very skilled and qualified to handle responsible administrative posts. What we need to do is to train them according to our spirituality and charism. Brothers need to be present to the children! The characteristic of our Marist presence which is “being with the children is gradually fading away”, he noted.

Interestingly, the project of incorporating lay people into religious congregations is not just happening in the Marist Institute but within the entire Roman Catholic Church..

Like my adage suggested, “the pot is already set on fire and the content is getting ready”. The Spirit of the New Beginning is taking us to a direction where not everyone may like to go. However, it seems we need to accept it with humility since the fruits appear to be great. Moreover, it has been done in other parts of the Marist world including Europe and Latin America. What stops Africa from embracing it?

By Br Ndi Deric Ngong

WALK TO EDUCATE THE NEEDY Sensitive to the needs of the poor, the Brothers in Marist International Centre (MIC) massively participated in a health walk organized by the Marist International University College (MIUC) on Saturday 31st October, 2015 which was geared towards raising funds to assist needy students of the College.

This initiative attracted many from the nearby universities and colleges (e.g Tangaza and CUEA), friends and well-wishers.

This walk began from the MIUC grounds, after some preliminary warm-up exercises, through the streets of Karen and back to the College. Items such as bottled water, T-shirts with the inscription “walk to educate the needy”, were sold before and during the walk with the sole aim of raising funds for our needy students.

We congratulate and say Kudos to all the people of good-will who bore the heat of the hot sun along the streets of Karen for this remarkable and noble cause on that significant day. To all individuals whose hearts were touched or inspired and who generously contributed in one way or the other to the plight of these needy students, I pray that God may pour out His blessings upon each and every one of you for the kind gesture.

Asanteni Sana. Mungu Awabariki

By Br Yao Aristide-Ghislain

Even the Ostrich, with its long neck and sharp eyes, cannot see what will happen in the future (Maasai Proverb)

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YOUTH IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH The term “YOUTH” is used generally to mean young men and women who are still growing or developing physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. In many African communities, one is considered a youth until he or she gets married (Kikuyu traditions). Though there are the communities’ expectations, for example, in some communities after circumcision you are expected to be ready for marriage, which is a transition from youth to a family man. In others, after finishing school or college level, you are expected to marry. In any case there is no prescribed age limit. With the advent of formal education and western influence, the term started to be enclosed in between the age of 13-14 or 25-28 years. Legally, a person of 13 years and below is considered to be a minor while those from 14 years and above are considered to be adults. Constitutionally, and especially in our Kenyan constitution, one is recognized as an adult at the age of 18 years and this is when one is given an identification card. This also gives him/her the right to exercise his/her legitimate vote.

With the advent of more social-economic problems, the term youth when defined with the cultural concepts, becomes more confusing. For example, you will find men and women of 35 years and 40 years who are not married are referred to as Youth. This may arise because some of them are undergoing higher academic qualifications, while others are almost “married” to their careers such that they have no time for social relationships and engagement. Others still have wasted themselves in social activities that are nonproductive like irresponsible drinking, drug abuse and sheer laziness. Would you still refer to such persons as Youth?

Think about this phenomenon: a girl of 9 years, which is the youngest age in the world to be a mother, or a girl below 13 years of age who is married off due to the cultural practices. Will these girls be referred to as minors? a youth? or an adult?

Similarly, the term, “youth”, in the parlance of the Catholic Church is equally confusing. Forming a cohesive youth group in the parish is as problematic as the term itself.

Those who have attempted, end up having the same group but with different names, e.g Junior Youth, Senior Youth, Youth in school, Youth out of school, working Youth to mention but a few . These different names come as a result of differences mostly in age, academic levels or even socio-economic status.

The cohesion of these youth groups, with only different names can be ensured depending on the environment of the people and how mature they are in Faith. The Youth in the Catholic Church, connotes a group that is composed of individuals who are essentially the same, but accidentally different. There is something that joins them together in spite of their differences, and that is the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us (and influence our thinking and our behaviour), that is when we see ourselves, not as individuals but as a group with a purpose in life and in the Church.

That is when we start sharing our talents for the good of the group and, more so, for evangelizing one another.

To that effect, this is what St. John Paul II told the youth in Britain when he visited them in 1982: “You must never think that you are alone in deciding your future, when deciding your future, you must not decide for yourself alone”. Compare this statement with this biblical text in Jn 6: 1-14- “Feeding of the five thousand”. St Andrew announced the presence of a boy carrying five loaves and two fishes. To any reasonable person this was nothing to feed the multitudes as much as it remained with the boy. To the amusement of everybody, when it was given out to the powerful and mighty hands of Jesus, it became more than enough and —“they gathered 12 baskets full of the remains” (vs 13).

As a youth, you are invited to offer yourself like loaves and fishes into the powerful sustaining hands of God and you will find yourself transformed with newness of life (Rom 6:4), with fullness of life and Grace for Grace ( Jn 1: 16). The Holy Spirit given during baptism and confirmation prepares you to face the challenges of life. Hence no one should feel alone (Lk 4: 18). According to St Paul, the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self control. With such virtues, we are able to overcome any difficulties. When we refuse to be guided by the Holy Spirit, when self indulgence is at work, the result is fornication, gross indecency, sexual irresponsibility, feuds and wrangling, jealousy, bad tempers and quarrels, disagreement, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, etc. When all these are in play, the kingdom of God is very far from us (Gal 5: 19-21). However, the Holy Spirit is given as a gift to all who are open to receive Him in Faith.

As a youth, responsibility towards others is paramount. There is no place in the Church for apathy, indifference and selfishness. Effects of the Holy Spirit should radiate from you to others thus permeating every aspect of the public and private sector of national life (1st Cor 12: 7). However, the turmoil of this broken world should not let your confidence in Jesus be shaken, not even the threats of nuclear war, Devil worship, Al Shabaab, political instability, diseases, etc (Jn 16: 33). Let no temptation or failure discourage you or hold you down. With the help of God, you can master everything (Phil 4: 13).

By FR GEORGE MAINA PSYCHOSPIRITUAL INSTITUTE

“LAUDATO SI” IN MIC Care for our Common Home!!!

The environment in which we live is fast becoming endangered by the activities of man. With this phenomenon, Pope Francis has made a passionate universal call for the care for our environment in all that we do. The Holy Father has challenged the whole human race to be responsible for the earth.

Marist International Centre (MIC) embraced this call and responded positively with open hearts and great determination. To concretize it, some fraternities made it a part of their life plan to keep a green day and to care for the environment. Above all, at Community level each and every Brother was called upon to plant at least one tree.

In response to this call, some Brothers resolved to green the earth by planting trees and flowers at the Charles Howard Gardens. This is a memorial garden created in honour of Rev Br Charles Howard, former Superior General of the Marist Brothers for his instrumental role in the establishment of MIC. A visit to the garden will only remind one of Paradise on earth, for the place is magnificent in beauty. Oh! How I love to take a walk in the garden just to admire its beauty.

However, I lament greatly, for all this beauty is in danger as the climate is fast changing. Nature has changed its course. The activities of man are an enemy to the environment, they harm the earth. Mother earth is crying out everyday for help.

A good relationship with nature will provide us with the early spirituality of the first brothers of our Institute who worked with and contemplated nature. To be able to do this, many things MUST change in MIC and the world at large. This should be in the form of developing new convictions, attitudes towards nature and forms of life that are nature friendly.

The new ways of being environmentally friendly will include:  Avoiding the use of plastic bags and using cartons for shopping or other forms of bags.  Being careful in the way we use our water sources, avoiding wastage of any sort.  Cooking only what can be consumed.  Establishing cordial relationship with animals and plants.  Planting, at least, one tree every year. Turning off unnecessary lights.

Engaging on other nature friendly activities.

When we are able to put into action all these convictions, we will express our dignity and it will develop a spirituality that is friendly in nature.

When the laborer is praised, his cutlass begins to cut more keenly (Nigerian Proverb)

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By Br Njini Primus

MIC CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS (2015) WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL, BR. EMILI TURU

MIC CELEBRATES MARY THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION AND BEGINS THE HOLY YEAR OF MERCY. The 8th of December is a notable day for all Catholic faithful and to the Marists in particular. This date was very significant as it was to celebrate our Mother and as well to begin the year of Mercy. In this Holy Jubilee year, the Holy Father invites all to reflect on and put into practice the corporal and spiritual works of Mercy. The corporal works of mercy include: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, healing the sick, visiting those imprisoned, and burying the dead.

The spiritual works of Mercy are to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently with those who do us ill, and pray for the living and dead It was a whole day’s celebration at MIC starting with early Morning Prayer and Mass, the presiding priest, a student in the Psycho-Spiritual Institute (PSI) here in MIC, highlighted the importance of such a feast to the Marists as she is our first superior. Focusing on the role she has played in the foundation of the Institute, the priest in his sermon congratulated the Brothers for their wisdom in going to God and doing the will of Christ in the way of Mary. In relying on Mary’s constant intercessions, therefore, he urged all to imitate her “YES” to the Lord at all times and carry out the will of God in our lives and to bring the good news to others.

Celebrations ended in the evening with the family supper and a symbolic cake. To show the greatness of the occasion, the Community Superior, Rev. Brother Lawrence, wished everyone a happy feast and also urged all to remain faithful to the love of our Mother and to let her be our model in whatever we do for the greater glory of our God. To show the greatness of such and occasion and the humor that usually accompanies such celebrations, Brothers Damalekani and Juvence, both Formators, were asked to cut the symbolic cake, officiated by Fr. Uche, a PSI student. Br Damalekani, in a short reflection, encouraged everyone to view life beyond the physical and ordinary (‘chapati’ and ‘sukumawiki’), as Mary did. He concluded, “Mary listened to the angel announce the Message to her and did not allow ‘chapati’ and ‘sukumawiki’ to influence her decision but chose to do the will of the Father and that is why we are celebrating today. We too should do likewise.” Very simple yet profound, very small, yet full of meaning was the celebration of December 8th and all were visibly satisfied. Sr. Olgo, a member of staff, PSI, led us in a closing prayer while Fr Esibor, a PSI student, gave the final blessings for the day.

Christmas has always been a moment of great communion and fraternal sharing in MIC. During this time, each Fraternity is given a special budget for celebration at the Fraternity level and there is also a fraternal celebration as a community on Christmas day. At the Community level, both Brothers and invited guests (neighbours) come together and share the Joy of the newborn King to the World. It is always a very remarkable and obvious unforgettable moment of communion.

This year’s celebrations were special and different, in that the Superior General, Br. Emili Turu, was present in our Community. The Community met together to sing Christmas Carols vigil Mass and on Christmas day, there was the celebration of the Eucharist and a common meal together with our neighbours.

Prior to his coming, Br Emili Turu had sent his usual Christmas message to all the Brothers and lay Marists. The theme was, “DO NOT BE AFRAID”, wherein he urged all in the Institute (Brothers and Laity) to exercise love, generosity and service to humanity and especially to those on the periphery. According to the Superior General, this was the first time to celebrate Christmas with the biggest and vibrant community in the Marist Institute. He had always celebrated with the old Brothers, an opportunity he used to accompany and encourage them that their old age is not the end of their apostolate but that they continued to support the Institute spiritually.

Addressing the gathering, he thanked especially the young Brothers, for their generosity in answering God’s invitation and urged them to remain faithful and focused in their formation for the Institute is in their hands.

The Superior of MIC, Brother Lawrence Ndawala, on his part, expressed the joy of having with us the first Servant of the Institute who had come to commune with us at MIC. The Superior General presented a statue of Our Lady of Fourviere as a gift to the community. The gift is given to mark the beginning of the Year of Fourviere in preparations for the celebrations of the bicentenary of the Institute. The Statue of Fourviere symbolizes the presence of Mary in our Community and an invitation to a greater commitment in our every endeavours. Similar to the ones presented to the Provincials and District Superiors, which are meant to move from Community to Community, the Statue of our Lady of Fourviere at MIC will move from Fraternity to Fraternity.

Christmas 2015, therefore, will be one of the most notable and will be talked about in the history of MIC as we were blessed to be graced with the visit of the Superior General of the Institute. We also had the special privilege of the presence of the Brothers on mission in South Sudan.

By Br Chinsolo Steven

We wish everyone a grace filled year and personal encounter with our Merciful Lord as we commence the Holy Year of Mercy.

Br Ndi Deric Ngong

When the head is too big, it cannot dodge blows (Zambian Proverb)

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INTERVIEW WITH THE SUPERIOR OF MIC the top man and he has powers over everybody. Global availability is more than the province, the young ones when they enter, they should know that it’s not necessarily that they are going to their country when they finish their formation. They have to be ready because they can be needed anywhere. We are not made for our province or our country but for the Institute at large The laity, we have been speaking on the laity and some people have picked some things and capitalized on that. In Africa we are not as fast, but to say the truth it’s an issue for us. In our schools, 90% of people working with us are lay people. People in most of the places are preoccupied with administrative work and they have been alienated from the youth and to say we are for the youth is by mouth but in reality they are very far from the youth. We want Brothers who when they are in the school they are really connected to the youth. Today, some of our lay people are very well formed than ourselves to a point that they will do very well as headmasters more than Brothers. Why can’t we give them the charge if they have the skills? What we need to do is to form them, to orientate them, the Brothers are there to animate. They are the majority so they need to be involved more and more.

MIC Digest: Good after noon Br other and thank you for accepting to share with us and the readers of MIC Digest.

Superior: Thanks and welcome Br other s.

MIC Digest: You ar e welcome back fr om Fr ance, Can you say briefly what exactly took you to France this time?

Superior: I went to Fr ance to attend a colloquium for Br other s involved in initial Formation. Initial formation is that time from aspirancy until final profession. So the discussions were basically on initial formation. One theme that came so often was, “A new beginning” this is because in 2017 there will be a General Chapter and the institute shall celebrate its two hundred years.

MIC Digest: For the past thr ee year s now, the Institute seems to have laid much emphasis on training and updating persons involved in initial formation, what is your opinion about this development?

Superior: One thing that stands out is the ar ticle 95 of our Constitutions which says, “the vitality of our religious family and its fidelity depend, to a great extend, on the formation of its members”.

So it is very important to constantly update our knowledge on formation, the emphasis has been on formators as you have said, in order to equip, update and empower the formators to be well grounded in formation skills.

There are other things happening as well. In the question of administration, the provincials have been attending on animation and management and having a creative way to run our government.

So it is in that sense that the new beginning comes in, so we expect new beginnings in many things. New ways of doing things as provincials, new ways of doing things in formation houses especially initial formation, new ways of doing things in the way of our Constitutions so there will be plenty of things.

MIC Digest: We know that our General House is in Rome, what must have motivated the choice of L’Hermitage for this meeting?

Superior: Motivation, I am not ver y sur e. Could be question of standards, expenses. But I could guess that L’Hermitage being our Mother House, they decided for the meeting to be held there because they are good number of brothers who were present that never knew L’Hermitage. It was an occasion for them to also discover our Mother House.

MIC Digest: Now we come back to our Community. Here we have various Fraternities with an Animator in each. Is there a guide which you give to the Animators of the various Fraternities on how to run their Fraternities or you allow them to run the Fraternities according to their own initiative?

Superior: The answer to this question is ther e in the MIC Dir ector y which contains all the documents that concern MIC such as The government of MIC, the role of the animator, the fraternity council, the fraternity itself plus other roles in the fraternity. After that there is a document called the community handbook mainly for the young brothers. It contains the expectation from the young brothers plus other documents which are important.

There are guidelines and we are always looking at those guidelines.

Apart from that we have personalities, how the guidelines are implemented are a challenge. But the fact still remains that there are guidelines to follow even though the implementation differs from one fraternity to another due to the difference in personalities.

MIC Digest: As Superior of MIC, are there some challenges that you face as you do your work?

And now how is this colloquium helpful to you as a person, and as a formator of Marist Brothers?

Superior: Speaking of my challenges, they ar e mainly two. One is, I receive Brothers from different backgrounds of formation because we have three novitiates and the approach they take to formation is not necessarily the same. When they come, you find these things fly all over and I say, eventually we have to come to one thing, not three. Eventually there is ‘give and take’ and we come up to something that is particular to MIC, that’s one challenge. Myself because I have been here a couple of years, I expect that ‘drama’ to happen each time a new group comes in.

The other challenge of the Brothers coming here; I find the pains when we say we are starting from a base, each one should have a base so that wherever you go we say at least initial formation is the same in Africa. That base is not guaranteed for some because the academic levels are not the same. When I see Brothers taking one more semester because they cannot make it in four years, I feel the pains, but if they go like that without anything now what happens? That’s a challenge on my part.

And from the meeting, it has been very helpful to me in many ways I was happy because there was emphasis on the fact that the formation should not be because you have finished two years then go ahead, you have to proceed when you are ready to profit better the next stage of formation. I was happy that there were many emphases on that, so it becomes an individualized formation. It is not automatic that the group moves ahead as a group.

MIC Digest: You have been in MIC as a student and now as formator, what can you say about the improvement of MIC? Superior: When I was her e, you cannot compar e with now. As I was speaking about the digital world, we were using typewriters, sharing among ourselves for assignments. We didn’t have the chance of internet we needed to get everything from books. MIC has evolved and that one is a fact, MIC has grown. What happens within this depends on what happens with the people running the place and the style of leadership also differs so those changes are really inevitable. MIC is still going to improve and even change because the way we are thinking today will not be the same. But now what will be the role of MIC to fit the 21st century. Maybe in the future it will be for studies as it is now. The people can be asked to study before and come to MIC only for real Marist things such as pastoral and Marist. They will surely be changes in MIC as there have been changes before. Questions of atmosphere will depend on the leadership and personalities.

MIC Digest: What were the reasons that triggered the organization of a colloquium on initial formation?

Superior: Signs of times need to be consider ed. Befor e we had a generation never knew digital, now we are in the digital world. How do you form people for the next century. People come to formation houses with phones, they have access to internet and on internet you get anything, how we help them to concentrate on what really matters. Before we had no problem with that but now it’s a challenge.

We live in a different world and we have to get prepared for that.

Another thing is the two aspects of Global availability and the laity.

Global availability was clear for many that the Superior General is Even though the old man is strong and healthy, he will not live forever (Ghanaian Proverb)

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MIC Digest: What gives you strength to carry on such responsibilities? And do you have some words of advice for other people carrying such responsibilities?

Superior: I was asked that same question fr om the meeting I attended. But it came in a differ ent way. They asked how has Champagnat influenced me in my work?

As you have mentioned, not everybody will like to do this work because they feel it is heavy. We can’t actually deny that it is heavy to be a formator.

The other thing is, the space you need to be a formator has to be very definite. If you keep on changing you may not make it. There should be a personal space and that depends on individuals. So what strengthens me is the service. It will demand you a lot of patience and a certain growth in the personality. There is no choice; you just need to have patience. Another aspect that follows is humility; you lower yourself so that you meet the people properly and help them to come up. Basically when you meet people, they are generally good and have good will when you open to them properly and that is the beauty.

MIC Digest: In summary, as the superior of the house you have three kinds of people you deal with. You have Brothers in initial formation, you have formators who are under you and you have also the lay workers who are working with us. So what advice do you have to give?

Superior: My appr oach is simple. Ther e ar e some people when you meet them, they r eceive you as a Super ior while some will r eceive you a s a person, a Brother and the approach is completely different. Respecting all those roles, I think basically as persons, there should be contacts, interaction that are simple, and people live their life. I will like where people seat and chat and joke as Brothers and I will like to relate on that level.

MIC Digest: Okay it has been a nice time Brother. Thank you very much brother for receiving us for this interview despite your busy schedule.

Superior: Thank you ver y much, the pleasur e is mine

By MIC Digest Team

Evening promises are like butter: morning comes and it is all melted (Moroccan Proverb)

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A GLASS OF MILK DANGERS OF MINE Punched seriously by the first exams of the semester, I went to prepare for the next series of exams after recalling the saying of Jack Youngblood that “Good Luck is a residue of preparation”.

Zooming nature through the window as part of accommodating and assimilating the content I was reading, I saw two eagles fighting over a dead long sized Lizard. One of them had no idea of sharing but to have a full feed.

After some minutes of hard work and bloodshed, another eagle came and took the fat lizard freely because the two eagles put their entire effort and mind on the powerful manual work of fighting.

After sometime, the two came to their senses that the fight was like fighting a dead body for there was no reward from the fight for the food had been taken away.

With round red eyes, their faces full of anger and their feathers glittering with disappointment, the two eagles flew away in opposite directions, leaving me with a carton of thoughts and a chewing gum for that day.

“Have I ever put myself in the place of the two eagles”? I questioned myself.

This is just one corner of “dangers of mine” It is up to you to find out the other three corners of dangers of mine.

By Br Misheck mkanthama

WHY DO WE DO GOOD A Chinese master saw a scorpion drowning in water and decided to rescue it. When he did, the scorpion stung him and because of the pain, the master released the animal and as a result it fell back in the water.

The master tried to bring it out the second time, the animal stung him again. One of his disciples who was observing what was happening, came to the master and asked: “Excuse me master, but master... Why are you insisting on removing the animal? Don’t you understand that, every time you try to draw it from the water it stings you”? The master replied: “The nature of the scorpion is to sting and it will not change its mind because it is being helped”.

Then, the master thought for another strategy to rescue the scorpion. Now he decided to do so with the help of a leaf.

With the leaf he pulled the scorpion out from the water and, thus, saved its life. Thereafter, he called the disciple and told him that, “In life it is not good to change your nature because someone does evil to you. You don’t need to change your way of living because people are telling you what they think of you. However, it is always good to take precautions”.

Dear reader, it is important to know that in our contemporary world, men and women are always ungrateful of the good things you do to them. Nevertheless, this can never be a reason for you to stop doing good to them. Neither will it make you to abandon the love that you have in your heart.

In life some people suppress happiness while others create it. It is better be concerned about your conscience than about your reputation. Your conscience is what you are but your reputation is what others think of you. So when life presents to you a thousand reasons to cry, show it that you have a thousand reasons to smile. Laugh more and you will live longer.

By Br Twaibu Valentin

In the Capital City of D.R Congo (Kinshasa), precisely in Maluku, there was an Orphan who was always selling small items from door to door to enable him earn a living as well as pay for his studies. One day, he was so hungry and had no energy because for three days he had not eaten.

So he decided to go to the rich men in his neighbourhood and solicit for food to enable him survive. He was ready and prepared for whatever may happen!

He arrived at the first door and knocked and immediately a young beautiful girl came out and said to him: Karibu! Karibu!

But when the boy saw the girl (beautiful and almost his age), he was too ashamed to ask her for food. Hence, he changed his mind. He said: -Hello sister! And the girl responded, -Hello my brother! Then the boy continued, -Hey, hey... Mmmm... I'd like to ask for water if possible.

Then the young girl stared at the boy for a while and replied

simply: -Yes, I can. Please sit down.

The young girl then dashed into the house and returned a few minutes later with two big cakes, a large cup of milk and with a glass of water on a tray.

Handing the tray to the boy, the girl said, we have not yet prepared food, please accept this to calm your hunger momentarily.... And here is the water that you requested.

The boy was dumfounded and did not know what to say. So he simply said, Thank you!

After he had eaten and drank, he asked the girl: -My sister, please, what's your name?

-My name is Suzanne Limbe!, the girl replied. Then the boy asked again -But how did you know that I was hungry?

-Two reasons, the girl replied. The first, "the eyes are the mirror of the heart". My grandmother told me so. She also told me that the mouth is not the only means of communication; the eyes have the means to communicate more powerfully than the mouth.

My brother, the eyes transmit messages as strong as the mouth can transmit. Secondly, my parents have always taught me to give bread and milk to the one who requests for tea. Here it is.

Then the girl also asked, “And you, what is your name?”

-Twaibu! ... But you can also call me Tambwe if you want.

Then the girl said, it is my pleasure to know you. Now you can wait peacefully for the food.

Then the boy said, Oh! No! No! No, please. It’s enough; even more than enough for me, allow me to leave!

-Okay! I'm honoured, and.... I wish you a good day! The girl replied.

Then the boy appreciated the gesture of the girl, thus: thank you for your generous heart;’ please continue to do good and the God who works wonders will one day reward you.

Years passed, and the parents of Suzanne died and she remained only with her little sister.

At one time Suzanne became ill and was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus.

One of the doctors told Suzanne, “you require a surgery but in a referral hospital where you have a chance of survival.

Suzanne told the doctor that she had 50,000 FC, the equivalent of 500 USD, and whether this will be enough? The doctor said, he did not know but that she could try her luck.

Suzanne and her little sister travelled to the big city. Arriving at the hospital, the condition worsened. The doctor commenced treatment immediately without demanding payment first for her life was in danger. Suzanne was later discharged but with the cost of surgery and treatment amounting to 3,750 USD. Where could Suzanne get the difference? She had neither a family nor rich friends to lend her this colossal amount of money. She did not even have any material goods that she could use to exchange or sell to offset the bill. Consequently, she remained almost two weeks in the hospital due to her inability to pay her hospital bill.

One morning, a nurse came to deliver an envelope containing the note of discharge and freedom to go home. In that envelop too was a letter describing the conversation between Suzanne and Twaibu ten years ago.

Suzanne then remembered the encounter and sobbed uncontrollably. Her little sister who did not understand anything at all asked her: -But Suzanne why are you crying? Is there anything wrong?

Suzanne replied gently: Do good to everyone, even to strangers, one day the A lmighty God will reward you.

At the end of the letter it was written: The first of next month, you are starting a job here at the hospital if you are okay. The cost of your surgery and treatment has been paid by a glass of milk. Signed, Dr. Twaibu.

She happily accepted the job. She was completely healed.

Dear friends, hearken to the advice of Suzanne and do good to everyone, even to strangers, for one day the Almighty God will reward you. Remember, there is the day of woe to any man. So plant in the morning; plant at noon and plant in the evening, because you do not know what seed will give the fruit.

If you have learned a lesson from this story do the same to those in need.

By Br Twaibu Valentin

To love someone who does not love you, is like shaking a tree to make the dew drops fall. (Congolese Proverb)

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THE IMAGE OF JESUS, THE DIVINE MERCY AND THE SIGNATURE (Part 1) PREAMBLE Imagine a world that speaks no mercy or without mercy at all? A religion, be it Christianity, Islam, or Traditionalist that is devoid of mercy? Think of a country whose leaders, citizens, or where either everyone is not interested in mercy or practicing mercy? What kind of a world would that be?

What kind of life do you expect her citizens to imbibe? How do you expect peace, love, and harmony to prevail?

Our God has unfathomable mercy to offer each and every one of us through his very own son Jesus Christ who according to the Holy Father in his encyclical on the “Face of Mercy”, described Jesus Christ as “the Face of the Father’s Mercy”.

The problem of human dignity, however, is interwoven into the issue of mercy. The contemporary world is sensitive to human problems, but marginalizes the idea of mercy. Rather, mercy is understood as a hindrance to the development of science and technology. The basic duty and the fundamental right of the Church is a passionate prayer for Divine Mercy towards multiple evil still threatening mankind. St. Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, Dives in Misericodia, highlighted the truths about Divine Mercy wherein he encouraged Christians to pray fervently. The fruits of the Divine Mercy of God are enormous: it heals the lost and broken, it brings us back to where we are meant to be as Christians, and in doing so it heals our broken Church.

The entire world is suffering from different forms of psychological and physical brokenness. This brokenness is as a result of greed, insensitivity to the voiceless, economic disintegration and socio-economic conditions worsening every day, scandalous disparity between the poor and the rich, high rates of corruption, mismanagement of resources, high crime rate, strange diseases crippling in and out, etc. Many hearts have been punched as a result of brokenness. Where do we turn to? And to whom shall we cry?

DIVINE MERCY According to Pope Francis’ encyclical, “The Face of Mercy”, Mercy is the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us. It is the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters, as the bridge that connects God and man. It opens our hearts to a hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness. Indeed Mercy reveals the very mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. The Divine Mercy is Jesus Christ himself, the Merciful Savior “…The Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Ex 34:5-7).

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, divine mercy is the first cause of God’s works. For St. Bernard mercy is the caused causer of all causes. Hence, divine mercy can be said to be at the very heart and essence of Revelation, of Sacred Scripture, and of Christianity itself (“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” - Lk 6:36). Divine Mercy is like a breath of fresh air blowing into a closed room answering questions that bothers humanity. It blows freely wherever it pleases and as it blows, it brings hope for a new day, hope for the future, hope for the hopeless, and hope for the world.

MESSAGE OF DIVINE MERCY The message of divine mercy is to restore, heal, console, brings joy and peace to a dying and broken world. Jesus appearing before his apostles breathed peace to their disturbed and restless hearts saying; “Peace be with you” (Jn. 20:21). The message of divine mercy is a call to be consecrated to Jesus the Divine Mercy Incarnate. Therefore, “Man will have no peace unless they turn to me for mercy” (Diary 300).

I am strongly convinced beyond reasonable doubt and after deep reflection on the disasters the world has experienced for some time now, I have come to a conclusion that it is only Divine Mercy that can bring radical healing and transformation to our broken world. Without God’s mercy, the world will have no hope. The world needs mercy now; the time for action is now.

This is the great hour of mercy for the whole world.

The world has been under threat and division. Nations are being threatened and attacked by terrorists. The world is indeed in desperate need of God’s mercy. We have witnessed large numbers of people who are emotionally and psychologically depressed. Many hearts are bleeding and weeping.

They are weeping over the death of their loved ones as a result of bomb blasts, tribal wars, political and societal conflicts. Others are crying over their lost dreams, lost hopes, aspirations, plans for the future, over the condition of their health, over the loss of their marriage, over a long duration of barrenness, over the difficulties of their finances. Many are shedding tears, many hearts have been broken as a result of threats. Many are weeping without even realizing it. For others, their tears might not be physical but spiritual tears. Look around you and all you find is confusion. Everything around you is like vapor falling apart.

The Divine Mercy is the answer to the world’s problems. It is the message of God’s mercy that is without boundaries, unchanging, infinite and endless, ever fresh, always new, everlasting and eternal.

GOD’S ATTRIBUTES If the world is in dire need of divine mercy, it should contemplate on the attributes that surround the Merciful Savior. These two attributes that infect positively the hearts and minds of believers, that gladden the heart of men and women, that soothe and bring healing and change to a dying world, LOVE and MERCY. Saint Faustina in her inquisitive nature of wanting to know the profound motive of God’s Mercy reflected in the foundation of His Church, in His Word, and in the Holy Sacrament especially in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist asked the question WHO IS GOD? She desir ed to know what makes God, God. She wanted to know what the glory of God is. Where was God before He made the heaven and earth? Where was God before He made the visible and the invisible? She desired to behold the glory of God which involves contemplating on the Divine Mercy where God reveals His ATTRIBUTES: LOVE AND MERCY. She asked a difficult question quite alr ight, but also for got that no man shall see God’s face and live. Let’s see how God dealt with this question?

In the diary of Saint Faustina, she shared her experience in reflecting on the question she asked more than once WHO IS GOD? As she was reflecting on the Holy Trinity, on the Essence of God, she absolutely wanted to know and fathom who God is. In an instant her spirit was caught up into what seemed to be the next world. She saw an inaccessible light, and in this light what appeared like three sources of light which she could not understand.

And out of that light came words in the form of lightening which encircled heaven and earth. Unable to understand it, she became sad. Suddenly, from this sea of inaccessible light came our dearly beloved Saviour, unutterably beautiful with His shining wounds. And from this light came a voice which said, “Who God is in His Essence, no one will fathom, neither the mind of Angels nor of man. But in order to know me, contemplate on My ATTRIBUTES - which is LOVE AND MERCY.” This is awesome! This is a BEING that has eyes all around Him; His Mercy flows everywhere without discriminating, doing different things to different people at different time. These attributes is what unites the creature with the creator LOVE AND MERCY. To be continued…

By Fr. Esibor J. Idogho-Noba, MDM

It is what is in the heart when there is no wine in the head that comes out when there is wine in the head (Ivorian Proverb)

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MIC DIGEST MEETS WITH THE BROTHERS ON MISSION IN SOUTH SUDAN Among the many people who shared the joy of Christmas in MIC this year were Brothers on mission in South Sudan. As time passed and with the free interactions the visiting brothers had with the young brothers, MIC Digest caught up with some of them to enquire about how this mission came to be, what motivated them to say this big YES to a very challenging call to a war torn country; what exactly is their apostolate there, their challenges and how they could encourage the young ones at MIC to begin nursing interest for such services in the future.

Rev. Br. Methodius Kuusor, a Ghanaian by Nationality, is a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of the Immaculate Conception (FIC) and Rev. Br. Dimba Longinus Uchechuku, a Nigerian, is a member of the Congregation of the Marist Brothers (FMS) The South Sudan project started as a result of the joint collaboration of Superior Generals of so many congregations within the Roman Catholic Church in collaboration with the Conference of Bishops of South Sudan. The communities are mixed - with Brothers and Sisters from different congregations who live together and carry out the same apostolate of teaching, counselling and healthcare. There are presently three communities in Southern Sudan, Yambioo, Waa and Remimza. Br Uche and Kuusor are in Yambioo, together with eight other Rev. Sisters and they have a teacher training college and others do Nursing training and Agricultural training.

ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL “All is well that ends well”! This is all we could think about on DATE as all the seventeen of us were being called one by one to receive our Diploma in Religious Studies. We reminisced the three trimesters of hard work we had put in to make sure that all our labour was not in vain. Sometimes, it seemed like a fairy tale. Only that, this time, it was not a fairy tale, but a reality. We all crossed the finish line. The journey had been a very long and demanding one. The journey, sometimes, seemed so hard but again it was not impossible. And if you were wondering what we were fighting for the poem below expresses it all:

Br Uche said that what actually motivated him to go for mission to such a country was because of his experience of the Biafra war in Nigeria and how he saw the Marist Brothers at the time taking care of war victims. It is this same spirit that made him to go somewhere and do the same. Br Kuusor, for his part, who had been in the General Council of his congregation, heard the call when his tenure was coming to an end and so when he had finished he requested to go and serve the people of God in the Church of South Sudan.

See the sun rising my Brothers, See the sun setting my beloved, Sing a new song as selected for you.

Remembering “A’s” to aim at all To act accordingly in these areas Affirming the academic achievements Attached to the strongly agree As administered by the Almighty

There are many challenges working in South Sudan, the Brothers said. Concerning the fact that this is a war like oriented country, one would need a lot of patience to understand the people and to be understood as well. The people also do not have the word ‘sorry’ in their vocabulary and the spirit of forgiveness is very limited, but then the Brothers all affirmed that what keeps them motivated is the devotedness of each of them, their praying together and living in harmony and the consequent result they are finding in the peoples gradual transformation.

For all the “B’s” to be busy before becoming better To break bitterness and bad behaviours, To build the endless expectations, Enjoying the bee’s honey production.

The Brothers who sounded very determined said they have been organizing seminars before the beginning of all school years on capacity building and reconciliation processes and the impact is recommendable as people from different tribes are found in their schools but never quarreled.

They thank God for the strength and protection and ask all who are called by the same God to be ready to answer joyously to this type of invitation of service to the people of God.

The “C’s” is a cementing of circumstances By calling for a common connection Cabled by contradictions in the city To calm absence of citizens’ conviviality Congratulations for being Christ’s Apostles, Believers and Catechists.

Even if the journey was full of thorns and doubts.

The Best wishes from all you sons of light.

The requirements to serve in the mission of South Sudan include the following: You should be mature in all aspects of life.

You should be finally professed.

Your desire for mission should be genuine.

You should have the ability to face challenges.

Overall, you should have had some experienced in life.

By Brs Berinyuy Hans and Manirakiza Paulin

By MIC Digest Team

What an old mn will see while seated, a small child cannot see even standing on top of a mountain (Malagasy Proverb)

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Grandpa, you are always happy but you have lost everything.

You cannot facebook, twitte, whatsApp and even Nyama choma you can’t eat.

What is your secret?

By Br Peter Zulu

My secret is to remain thankful to God for all I have seen with my two naked eyes, the songs I have listened to during my youthful age, the natural foods I have eaten and many other good things I have enjoyed in life.

This is now your turn to enjoy everything that Life provides, but remember that not everything is good for your consumption.

It is impossible to find a man who has everything, but it is possible to find one who enjoys the things he has (Liberian Proverb)

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For comments or suggestions, kindly write to MIC Digest Marist International Centre P.O. Box 24450-00502, Karen– Nairobi– Kenya Email: champagnatmediagroup@gmail.com